Rubio in bind as he seeks to reassure south-east Asia, even as it faces Trump tariffs | Tariffs
Even though they encounter globally among the most punishing tariffs, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that they could get “better” trade agreements from the rest of the world by trying to rely on Southeast Asian countries in Washington’s commitment to the region.
During his first official visit to Asia, Rubio met with the external ministers of the 10 -member Southeast Asian Nations Union (ASEAN) in Malaysia on Thursday and told his colleagues that the US had no intention of abandoning the region ”.
His visit was days after Donald Trump renewed the threat of imposing many Southeastern Asian countries if they did not make agreements until August 1st.
The region, which includes countries based on export and production, was among the worst of Trump’s trade war.
This week, letters were sent this week.
“When everything is said and made, I can say that many countries in Southeast Asia will have better tariff rates than other countries in the world, Rub
Before Rubio came to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim condemned the tariffs by saying that the taxes were not “last storm ,, but the new air of our time”.
Anwar said that the vehicles used to produce growth once were “used to isolate and include pressure,”.
The upcoming tariffs threw a shadow on Rubio’s trip, even if Southeast Asia tried to underline the importance of the USA.
“Our view, our strong view and the story of this century and the next 50 years, will be written here to a large extent in this region of the world,” he said.
In a joint communiqué on Friday, ASEAN external ministers condemned unilateral tariffs as “further worsening global economic disintegration and risk, but they did not mention the US.
Stephen Olson, a senior member of the Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore, said that Rubio’s partners of the Southeast Asia continue to be connected to the region and on the contrary, it has an inevitable position for free and opening trade.
“ASEAN ministers will give him a polite and respectful reception, but it is unlikely to be convinced by anything he says,” Olson added.
Rubio made his first meetings with the Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang, on Friday as a “positive and constructive” meeting, stressed that the meetings were not a negotiation.
The questions about Washington’s commitment to the region may be a blessing for China when Trump’s unpredictable economic policies are combined.
At the same meeting, China and ASEAN, China’s largest trade partner, completed negotiations to further develop free trade areas with additional industries.
In meetings with ASEAN countries, Wang tried to create a contrast between Washington and Beijing – presented China as a reliable partner interested in mutual development.
At a meeting with Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn, the United States said that the US was an attempt to deprive all parties of legitimate development rights ”.
“In the face of the turbulent global situation, China is willing to be a reliable and reliable friend and partner of Cambodia.
According to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wang said that Maris Sangampongsa of Thai counterpart, the United States “abused tariffs, destroyed the free trade system and disrupts the stability of the global supply chain.”
In another sign of economic re -calibration, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said that Japan should cut a television news program from the US’s dependence on key areas.
“If Japan thinks that America should follow what we say because we are largely dependent on them, we need to work more self -sufficient and less dependent on security, energy and food,” he said..
Vietnam is the only Asian country and globally second to a trade agreement with the US. Within the scope of the agreement, many goods will encounter a 20% tariff, but 40% will remain for so-called transfers-this is a provision for Chinese companies accusing their products to avoid tariffs via Vietnam.
Trump’s agreement with Vietnam is seen by analysts as a sign that he will use tariff negotiations to force countries to cut off the supply chains.
Southeast Asian countries ran to compromise Trump to prevent tariffs that could destroy economic growth.
Levis are more than eight than 10% of the Tariff of 20% in the Philippines, 25% in Malaysia and Brunei, 32% in Indonesia and a tariff of 32% in Cambodia and Thailand. Laos and Myanmar, a country seized by the civil war, continue to face a 40% tax among the most violent tariffs globally.
In Thailand, if the government cannot prevent a 36% rate, according to the analysis of the Eurasian group with political risk consultancy, gross domestic product growth is expected to fall below 1% this year.
In five years, Bangkok promised to reduce the trade surplus of $ 46 billion (£ 34 billion) 70% and eliminate imbalance in eight years.
The largest economy of Southeast Asia, the authorities in Indonesia, is reported to be shocked by the letters sent by the US, although it promised to increase imports from the United States 34 billion dollars.
With agencies
